Page 27 of Laird of Smoke
She had to get him out of here.
“Ssss!”she hissed sharply, keeping her eyes trained ahead, but slowing her step as she passed.“Adam!”
Adam frowned in disbelief.
How the Devil had she recognized him?
He was completely concealed from head to toe.Not an inch of his face was visible.Not even his own mother would have known him.
“What are ye…?”she rasped out between her teeth, stopping and pretending to admire the fountain, but too vexed to even finish her sentence.“Begone.Now.”
“How did ye know ’twas me?”he asked in wonder.
He lifted his hand to peel back his hood.After all, there was no need to hide now.
Her eyes widened as she whispered, “Nay!Don’t!”Her fingers tightened on the stone edge of the fountain.
He froze.What was wrong with her?
Staring into the water intensely enough to boil it, she muttered, “Why did ye follow me?”
He answered with the truth.“I didn’t want to say goodbye.”
Following her had seemed a good idea at the time.Now he wasn’t so sure.She seemed very upset.
After a split-second of indecision, she said, “Follow me,” and turned on her heel toward the gates.
He gave his head a shake, wishing she would make up her mind.Then he started off after her.
“Not so close!”she hissed over her shoulder.
This was ridiculous.He reached for her arm to halt her.“Will ye explain to me what’s goin’ on?”
Her brow creased with worry.“Ye wouldn’t understand.”
She tried to pull her arm out of his grasp, but he held tight.If something was troubling her, he wanted to help.
“Try me,” he said.
“There’s no time,” she bit out.“Just…shoo.”This time she managed to pull away.
He snatched the back of her gold girdle, hauling her up short.
“I can help ye,” he explained.
“Ye can help me,” she mumbled, straining against the girdle, “by lettin’ go o’ me.”
He did.
She would have fallen forward, so hard was she pulling against his grip.But he quickly caught her about the waist to steady her.
“Hold there!”bellowed a voice behind him.“Unhand the lady!”
Adam released her and turned to face Aillenn’s champion.
His heart plunged to the pit of his stomach.
It was the prior himself.
